Health benefits of serious involvement in leisure activities among older Korean adults

Abstract

The existing literature suggests that serious engagement in leisure activities leads to happiness, life satisfaction, and successful aging among older adults. This qualitative study was used to examine the benefits of serious involvement in leisure activities among older Korean adults who were members of a sports club. Using an analytic data analysis, we identified three main themes associated with the benefits of serious engagement in leisure activities: 1) the experience of psychological benefits, 2) the creation of social support, and 3) the enhancement of physical health. These themes indicate that, through serious involvement in certain physical activities, participants gain various health benefits, which may contribute to successful aging.

Exploring beliefs around physical activity among older adults in rural Canada

“…Of these, 15 studies indicated that older adults living close to friends, family, and social networks had higher incidence of physical activity engagement supporting the facilitating social element of physical activity. More recently, in a qualitative study by Kim, Yamada, Heo, and Han (2014), older Korean adults (involved in sports clubs) found social support was a key theme that emerged in the data. Together, these studies reinforce that older adults perceive socialization among family, friends, and their community as an essential factor in physical activity participation.…”

Trajectories of social participation in old age: a systematic literature review

“…While men tend to disengage from political and organizational activities and work, women discontinue community activities and volunteer work. This disengagement is most pronounced at age 75, and maybe influenced by common events in old age, such as widowhood, retirement, health problems, and functional decline 10,18,30,31,33,36,37 . Benjamins et al 7 observed that acute events such as hip fractures, cancer and cerebrovascular accidents compromise participation in social activities.…”

“…The composition of a social network has less influence on health outcomes in middle age than in old age 33,35 . In the former period, activities practiced with friends are more significant and more frequently described as sources of pleasure than activities practiced with family members.…”

“…It is known that the profile and characteristics of social participation are closely related to culture, beliefs and socially acceptable habits, as well as the opportunities and resources available in the community 24,[33][34][35] . The same characteristics are also influenced by gender and age.…”

Is leisure beneficial for older Korean immigrants? An interpretative phenomenological analysis

“…A growing body of literature has provided evidence that leisure contributes to physical, social, and mental health among older adults (Hamer, Molloy, De Oliveira, & Demakakos, 2009; Lampinen, Heikkinen, & Ruoppila, 2000). For example, Kim, Yamada, Heo, and Han (2014) found that participation in community-based leisure activity clubs, such as gateball, dance, and table tennis, facilitated positive psychological feelings, encouraged positive social relationship, and enhanced their physical functions.…”